Continuously variable transmission

• US 8,398,518 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nichols, Jon M., Simister, Matthew P., Dawe, Daniel J., Lohr, Charles B., Obrzut, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US12/999,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 475/189
• US Class Current: 475/189
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/04 of changeable ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/12 with frictionally-engaging wheels B62M11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/16 built in, or adjacent to, the ground-wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/061 the intermediate members wedging by movement having an axial component
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/064 the intermediate members wedging by rolling and having a circular cross-section, e.g. balls F16D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/50 Gearings providing a continuous range of gear ratios
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/52 in which a member of uniform effective diameter mounted on a shaft may co-operate with different parts of another member
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 53/02 Single-track cams for single-revolution cycles; Camshafts with such cams
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/18 the final actuating mechanism comprising cams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18304 Axial cam

Abstract

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle (112) is adapted to receive a carrier assembly (101, 400, 600, 800) to facilitate the support of components in a CVT (100). In another embodiment, a carrier includes a stator support member (206, 304, 402, 502, 602, 802) and a stator interfacial member (208, 504). In some embodiments, the stator interfacial member is configured to interact with planet subassemblies of a CVT. Various inventive planet subassemblies (108, 406, 806) and idler assemblies (109, 700) can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the planet subassemblies include legs (244, 2444, 424, 810) configured to have a sliding interface with a carrier assembly. Embodiments of a hub shell (102), a hub cover (104) are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Claims

1. A carrier for a continuously variable transmission having a plurality of planet subassemblies, each planet subassembly having a ball configured to rotate about a tiltable axis, the carrier comprising:

a stator interfacial member configured to be operably coupled to a planet subassembly;

a stator support member operably coupled to the stator interfacial member; and

a stator torque reaction member operably coupled to the stator support member.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the stator interfacial member is configured to be slidingly coupled to the planet subassembly.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the stator interfacial member is configured to be slidingly coupled to the stator support member.

4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the stator torque reaction member is configured to be rigidly coupled to the stator support member.

5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the stator torque reaction member is configured to be rigidly coupled to the stator interfacial member.

6. A transmission comprising:

a plurality of balls, each ball operably coupled to at least one leg;

a stator interfacial member coupled to each leg;

a stator support member coupled to the stator interfacial member; and

a stator torque reaction member coupled to the stator support member.

7. The transmission of claim 6, wherein the stator interfacial member is slidingly coupled to each leg.

8. The transmission of claim 6, wherein the stator interfacial member is slidingly coupled to the stator support member.

9. The transmission of claim 6, wherein the leg and the stator interfacial member are integral components.

10. A stator assembly for a continuously variable transmission, the stator assembly comprising:

a stator torque reaction insert having a plurality of torque reaction shoulders;

a stator support member coupled to the stator torque reaction insert, the stator support member extending radially outward from the stator torque reaction insert, the stator support member having a first face and a second face; and

a stator interfacial member coupled to the stator support member, the stator interfacial member substantially supported by the first face of the stator support member, the stator interfacial member having a plurality of radial grooves.

11. The stator assembly of claim 10, wherein the stator support member comprises a plurality of interlocking holes.

12. The stator assembly of claim 11, wherein the stator interfacial member comprises a plurality of interlocking tabs configured to couple to the plurality of interlocking holes.

13. A stator support member for a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the stator support member comprising:

a substantially disc-shaped body having an inner bore, a first face and a second face;

a plurality of spacer support extensions arranged angularly on the first face;

a plurality of guide support slots, each guide support slot arranged substantially between each of the spacer support extensions;

a plurality of interlocking holes formed in each of the guide support slots; and

a plurality of capture extensions formed on the outer periphery of the disc-shaped body.

14. The stator support member of claim 13, further comprising a piloting shoulder formed in proximity to the inner bore on the first face.

15. The stator support member of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of structural ribs formed on the second face.

16. The stator support member of claim 13, wherein each of the capture extensions are substantially aligned with each of the spacer support extensions.

17. The stator support member of claim 13, wherein the inner bore has a hexagonal shape.

18. A stator interfacial member for a continuously variable transmission, the stator interfacial member comprising:

a substantially disc-shaped body having a central bore, a first face, and a second face;

a plurality of sliding guide slots extending radially from the central bore, the guide slots arranged substantially on the first face;

a plurality of interlocking tabs extending from the second face;

a capture ring formed around the outer circumference of the disc-shaped body; and

a plurality of capture cavities formed on the capture ring.

19. The stator interfacial member of claim 18, wherein the capture ring is aligned substantially on the second face.

20. The stator interfacial member of claim 18, wherein the interlocking tabs are formed on each of the sliding guide slots.